Hundreds of local students explore Nine Elms careers

More than 400 of Wandsworth’s school and college students came to South Thames College today to explore the varied career and training options available across the Nine Elms on the South Bank regeneration area.

The event, run by Wandsworth Council, showcased the new industries taking shape as this part of the South Bank transforms into a new central London business district and cultural destination.

Many of Nine Elms’ biggest investors and employers took park in the open day, showcasing opportunities across retail, finance, administration, construction,lighting and landscape designers, engineering, architecture, sales, commercial property and more.

A keynote speech was provided by Liz Waters from construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine which, in partnership with BL Harbert International,is building the new US Embassy on Nine Elms Lane.

She said: “The room was really buzzing and it’s great to see such raw enthusiasm. I think the event really helped dispel myths about what it’s like to work in construction and showed what a hugely varied and skilled industry it really is.

“Young people also found out about all the different ‘end use’ jobs being created in Nine Elms as all the new offices, shops and cultural attractions are built. The range on offer is really impressive and there are lots of ways to get started like training courses, apprenticeships and graduate schemes.”

Craig Ridout and Paul Little from Skanska told local students what it’s like to complete an apprenticeship.

Craig said: “We did four days a week at Skanska and one day at college - so we got paid whilst studying plus all the onsite experience. It gave us a massive advantage. We have stayed at the same company for seven years and we are just finishing our degrees now aged 23. Skanska funded our degrees too."

As well as meeting Nine Elms employers, student also heard from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, training providers, colleges and the council’s Work Match recruitment team which is dedicated to helping local residents into work.

The event is part of the Nine Elms Vauxhall Education Links programme which is all about connecting local school and college students with the many career and training opportunities springing up from Nine Elms.

The area’s new investors have donated thousands of hours to supporting Education Links, which involves a range of high quality work experience placements, career taster sessions, site visits, school visits, career open days and skills workshops linked to the curriculum.